ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution urging member states to resolve disputes through peaceful means such as negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and judicial settlement. The move came as Pakistan accused India of jeopardizing the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a key water-sharing agreement between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 with the World Bank’s mediation, governs the distribution of the Indus River and its tributaries between India and Pakistan. Despite numerous conflicts and diplomatic tensions, the treaty has long been hailed as one of South Asia’s most enduring diplomatic successes.
Speaking at the UNSC’s open debate, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar highlighted the significance of the treaty, calling it “a remarkable example of diplomacy and dialogue facilitating peaceful resource-sharing between neighboring states.”
He added, “Despite difficult phases in our bilateral relationship, the treaty has stood the test of time. However, it is deeply concerning that India has now chosen to illegally and unilaterally suspend the treaty on baseless pretexts, aiming to disrupt the water supply to 240 million Pakistanis who depend on it for their livelihood and survival.”
Dar’s statement coincided with the adoption of the UNSC resolution, which reemphasized the UN Charter’s call for peaceful resolution of international disputes. The resolution received unanimous support from all 15 Council members.
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India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty earlier this year following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 people dead. New Delhi blamed Islamabad for supporting the militants behind the attack and imposed several retaliatory measures, including halting cooperation under the IWT.
Pakistan, rejecting the allegations, has demanded an independent international investigation into the incident. It has also warned that the IWT does not allow for unilateral withdrawal and any attempt to restrict water flow into Pakistan would be seen as an “act of war.”
The treaty is crucial to Pakistan’s agriculture, providing water for nearly 80% of the country’s farmland. The dispute escalated dangerously in May, leading to the most serious military flare-up between India and Pakistan in years — involving drone, missile, and artillery strikes — before a ceasefire was brokered by the United States on May 10.